Previously, an analogue print of the film cost anything between Rs. 50,000 to 60,000. This cost has been brought down by digitisation to Rs. 10,000 to 12,000 per screen, a reduction by 1/5th. This itself is an incentive to a producer to release his films in more theatres. According to FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report, 2114, approximately 95 per cent of commercially viable screens have been digitised.

An analogue print was heavy — it used to weigh 40-50 kgs. and was difficult to transport. These days an entire film can be stored in a pen-drive or downloaded directly into cinema hall’s projection room through satellite. Even storage rooms and trunks are not necessary.

In 2004, Veer Zara was released in 625 screens. Dhoom2  in 2006 was released in 1000 screens. By 2008, Ghjiini was released in 1550 screens. In 2011, Ra.One  was released in 2900 screens. Doom3  had a release on 3800 screens in 2013. Kick  was released in 2014 on 5000 screens. It’s a huge rise in the number of screens since 2004 — almost 9 times.

Prints are released across the metros and smaller towns at the same time. It reduces the scope of piracy. It enables a producer to exploit a territory commercially immediately. Previously it took several months to do so. The role of audience feed back has also reduced along with the simultaneous release.

The digital format made a debut in 2007-08. Dhoom3  in 2013 was not released in analogue format at all.